-0.0014(-0.2282%)

+8.90(+0.15%)

+6.10(+0.10%)

+0.18(+0.32%)

+12.30(+0.99%)

+11.01(+0.17%)

Tourism projects `environmental vandalism'

The government is being warned against committing "environmental vandalism" by giving the go-ahead for two controversial tourism projects in national parks.

Conservation Minister Nick Smith said on Sunday he was taking responsibility for the projects - an 11.3km tunnel to link the Routeburn and Hollyford roads in Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks and a monorail and all-terrain vehicle track to improve access to the scenic Milford Sound.